Chapter 10

I’m sitting on my bed, completely lost in my own world. My headphones are blasting some old school NSYNC songs. I’m just in that kind of mood.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Amy waving her hands around. I pull the headphones from my ears and ask her what she wants. “Your phone has been going off for 10 minutes now.” Oh. I stretch across my bed and grab my phone.

“Hi” I answer simply.

“Baby! You ignoring me?” my mother shouts through the phone. Oh, she actually has time to call me right now. I maybe spoke to her once a month, if that.

“No Mom. I’ve been really busy with school.” Amy gives me a look and I throw my pencil across the room at her face. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Kyle and Bella miss you so much.”

“Can I talk to them?” If I have to be on the phone with any member of my family I’d rather it be one of my younger siblings.

“They’re in school. I’ll tell them to call you when they get home. Please tell me you are coming here for break.”

“Mom” I sigh.

“Please Shane. It would mean so much to me.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“We could go shopping at all your favorite stores. It will be so much fun.”

“I’m sure it will be” I mumble.

“The reason I’m calling is…” she trails off.

“Come on Mom.” She always has a problem telling me things. If anything bad happens she thinks that I can’t handle it. Truth is, I handle it way better than she does.

“Do you want anything from your old bedroom?”

“You turning it into a gym?” I laugh.

“Well, no” she says quietly.

“Then what?”

“I’m selling the house.” My heart sunk the minute she said it. I never actually thought she would do it. I know the house holds some bad memories for her but at least six times a year she threatened to sell it. She never got to the point where she was actually cleaning out rooms.

“Am I really supposed to believe you this time?”

“Yes, Shane. And do not get an attitude with me. I am your mother.”

“I’ll believe it when I see the papers. Tell them to call me when they get home.”

“Or you could come home for the weekend.”

“Mom” I whine.

“You haven’t been home since you left for college. You can’t stay at Aunt Lisa’s forever.”

“I can try” I smile even though she can’t see me. “I have to go. I have a lot of work to do.”

“Okay. I love you honey.”

“Love you too Mom.” I hang up the phone and throw it back on my desk. I always end up more annoyed after I talk to one of my parents. They are a really screwed up couple.

I let out a loud exhale and fall onto my pillows, covering my face with my hands.

“So she’s actually going through with it this time?” Amy asks.

I tilt my head in her direction and peer at her through my fingers. “Of course she’s not.”

“My mom thinks she’s serious this time. Your dad moved out. You know that right?” No, I did not know that. My parents fight a lot and my dad has spent some nights at hotels but he’s never actually moved out.

“What time is it?” I ask her.

“Four” she looks at her watch.

“Want to go to the bar?” She just laughs in response. I knew she wouldn’t be up for day drinking with me on a Thursday. I change my shirt into something a little more suitable for a bar. I call up Adrienne and tell her to meet me at O’Malley’s. Of course she’s down to go.

I stop at the ATM on campus, taking almost a thousand dollars out of my dad’s account. I’ll pay for the entire bar right now with his money I don’t care.

The bar is fairly empty when I get there. Obviously it is. It’s a college town. Students usually don’t go until midnight. I order a few shots for Adrienne and I. I down mine before she even gets there so I decide to take hers too.

“What’s the emergency?” she asks as she takes a seat on the barstool next to me.

“Just wanted to grab a drink with my best friend” I smile and hold up my shot to her and cheers with her before throwing it back.

“Do you care if I invited Michael?” I shrug and order another round. The more the merrier. “It’s only 4:30. Don’t you want to slow down a little bit?”

“Nope” I answer, popping the ‘p’. “So when is the boyfriend going to be here?”

“He’s not my boyfriend Shane.” Could have fooled me. I’m surprised they’re not an official couple yet. They spend all their time together. All she does it talk about him.

“Where’s yours?”

“Ha ha” I laugh in her face. “I’m destined to be single the rest of my life.”

“As if you don’t have guys lined up waiting for you” she says matter-of-factly.

“Then where are they?” I wave my arm out to show that no one is there.

“There are two now” she nods her head in the direction of the door. Of course Michael brought along his roommates and to my surprise Ashton was actually with them. I thought he was banned from this bar from the fight with Dan.

“Order whatever you want. It’s on me.”

“Seriously, what happened Shane? The only time you abuse your dad’s money is when they piss you off.”

“Yup” I agree. “But we’re not talking about it. We’re getting drunk” I announce waving my shot in the air.

“No you’re not” Ashton interrupts, taking the shot my hand and shooting it back. “Let’s get you home.”

“I don’t want to go home” I whine.

“I don’t care” he says sternly. I look to Adrienne for help but she just shrugs.

“Maybe you can let your anger out in other ways” she smiles. “Like on his body” she winks.

“Adrienne!”

“Have fun you two” she smiles and waves as Ashton leads me out of the bar.

He keeps some distance between us as we walk. I can’t really explain what happened over the course of the week. On Friday things seemed to be looking up for me. He was sort of nice to me. Well, the nicest he has been.

Ashton spent the night with me but he was gone in the morning. He ignored me throughout the day. When I saw him the next day in the hall and confronted him about it he just shrugged and said he had stuff to do. He kind of gave me the cold shoulder after that.

Now here he is dragging me out of a bar when I just want to have fun. Maybe Adrienne told him to bring me home. She knows how I get when there are issues with my family. It never ends well.

“You going to pout the whole way back?” he nudges me arm. I didn’t realize I was even doing that. I have a lot going on in my head.

“You made me leave.”

“Made you?” he asks with a playful smirk on his face. “All I said was you’re going home. Don’t blame me when it only took a few words from Adrienne to make you jump off that barstool and leave with me.”

I stop walking when I realize what he was getting at. “I’m not going to have sex with you” I say offended. He has a huge smile on his face as to say ‘yeah, sure you’re not.’

“Mhmm” he responds.

“You’re nauseating.”

Amy isn’t in the room when I get back. Ashton lingers in the doorway. It’s not like he needs permission to enter my room. I take his hand and drag him inside. He plops down on my bed as I remove my jewelry and shoes.

Ashton slides over so there is room for me to get into the bed next to him. I let out a heavy sigh as I lay down. “So what has your panties in a twist?”

“They are not in a twist. My parents are being stupid. That’s all.”

“How?” Ashton turns on his side, propping himself up on his elbow.

“They are getting separated. Apparently for real this time.”

“This time?” he asks confused.

“It happens like every other year.” My whole life my parents have tried to divorce each other. They get into a huge argument where one of them walks out. They go to their lawyers, they draw up some papers and then they find something from the past that rekindles their love and the process starts all over again. It doesn’t bother me much anymore because I know they’ll always find a way back to each other but I feel bad for Kyle and Bella. It’s been happening a lot more lately that’s why I never want to go home. I can’t stand their constant bickering.

“You know how parents can be. They use me to get back at each other.”

“Yeah, sure” he shrugs. “Do you… umm … want to like talk about it?” he asks but I know he really doesn’t want to hear about my problems. And honestly I don’t want to talk about them.

“No” I shake my head and climb on top of him.

“Okay, then” he grins as I kiss and suck on his neck. I can feel him growing underneath me, which is turning me on even more.

He grabs a tight hold of my hips, lifting his to gain more friction. I may have had some drinks but I’m not tipsy or anything. The only time we hooked up was when we were both drunk. So this was new and exciting and I wanted it so bad.

His fingers ran over my bare stomach since my shirt had lifted a little. He pulls my shirt over my head, instantly wrapping his fingers in my hair, pulling me down to kiss him. Our tongues work magic together. I never realized how truly gifted a kisser he was until now.

“I want you” he whispers against my skin.

“Then take me” I say just as quietly. He slowly pulled down the straps of my bra as my door flew open. I expected to see Amy but who was in my room was far worse.

I spring up, covering myself with my shirt. Ashton adjusts himself and stands up from the bed. “Who the fuck are you?” Ashton barks.

“Her father” he points around Ashton to me. “Who the fuck are you?” It’s the first time I ever heard my dad curse. He’s raised his voice at my mother and I many times but he’s never once used that language.

Ashton fists are clenched at his side. I can tell that he is trying to control himself. His breathing is heavy but it’s slowing. I’m sure that if it wasn’t my dad standing there, Ashton would have had the guy pinned to the ground with his fist colliding with his face.

“Dad, what are you doing here?” I cry out.

“Put on a shirt.” He steps into the common room. I grab a sweatshirt, throwing it on and walk past Ashton, giving him an apologetic look as I do. “What the hell are you thinking Shane?”

“That never in a million years would my dad show up at my dorm room.”

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“What? No” I answer quickly.

“Good. Cody is downstairs waiting. We’re going to dinner.”

“Cody?” I shout. “You brought Cody here?” Cody was my high school boyfriend. His parents are good friends with my parents so us dating was inevitable.

When I left for college I knew it would never work with Cody and I. Towards the end of our relationship I stayed with him because it would please my parents and he was too good of a guy to break his heart. It took me a while but I finally realized they don’t care what I want so I ended it with him.

Cody is your typically preppy guy. Always in button downs from J-Crew. Khakis, sweaters tied around his neck. He really isn’t my type at all but he was nice and truly cared for me.

“Your aunt called your mother. She’s been worried sick about you.”

“I’m sure she has” I scoff.

“We both have” he says in my face. “I have half the mind to pull you out of this school and put you in one of those all girls schools that doesn’t promote drinking and drug use.”

“I don’t do drugs” I argue. “What the hell has Amy been telling you?”

“Do not drag your cousin into this. She’s the only reason we let you go here in the first place so she could keep an eye out for you.”

“I’m 21 Dad. I don’t need anyone babysitting me.”

“Clearly you do if you’re going to bring filth like that home.” I gasp the minute the words leave his mouth. He can stand here and throw any insult he wants at me but he will not speak about Ashton in that way.

“It was really nice of you to stop by but I think you should leave.”

Ashton is already making his way through the common room to leave. He wasn’t the one I wanted gone. “Don’t go” I pull him back by his arm. He glares at me and shakes his arm from my grasp. He slams the door behind him as he storms out of the room.

“Now look what you did.”

“I was doing you a favor. Now get ready. We’re going to dinner.”

“I’m not going.” I fold my arms over my chest and try to stand my ground.

“So help me God Shane if you don’t get ready right this second…” His jaw clenches and the vein in his neck starts to pop out. He’s a man that is used to getting his way. I’m the only one who tries to defy him.

I stomp my feet into my room, angrily searching my closet for something to wear to dinner. I find a simple black dress and quickly change in to it. Wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.

I get downstairs and there he is. White polo shirt with a pale blue sweater tied around his neck. His khakis are nicely pressed and Raybans cover his eyes. He takes them off when he sees me and a bright smile forms on his face. “Shane” he spreads out his arms for a hug. I hesitate but hug him back. “It’s so nice to see you.”

“Same” is all I reply. I am not happy to see him. I haven’t spoken to him since I broke up with him when I met Keith. The first day I hung out with Keith I had more of an attraction and more chemistry with him then I would ever have with Cody. Cody was just a safety net.

My dad opens the door of the limo for us both to get it. That’s the other thing, my dad really had to take a limo to a college campus. Couldn’t he have just rented a sports car or something? This is completely ridiculous and I am utterly embarrassed.

The restaurant is classy and elegant. Wouldn’t want anything less for Archibald Harrison. My dad would never dine anywhere that wasn’t five stars. I, on the other hand, was fine with any old burger joint.

As usual, my dad orders a bottle of wine and dinner for everyone. I don’t even get a say in what I’m going to eat at a dinner I was forced going to.

“So Archie” I say to grab my dad’s attention. “Why are you really here?”

“Can’t a father want to see his daughter?”

I smile, “No.”

“How’s your mom been? Have you been talking to her a lot lately?”

“She’s fine” I shrug. “Didn’t you just talk to her though? You said she was worried about me.”

“She is. Shane” he sighs.

“Just tell me Dad.”

“I moved out a few months ago. We didn’t want to tell you. We want you to focus on your schoolwork. Your mother hasn’t talked to me in a while. The only time she did was to tell me about you.”

“Okay… but I’m fine.”

“I see that now.”

The waitress brings our food. I have some shrimp pasta dish that I really can’t stomach to eat right now. I guess my dad forgot that I don’t eat seafood. I attempt to eat it anyway.

“You have a break coming up” my dad says as if I don’t know.

“Maybe we could fly to Paris or St. Thomas. You always loved St. Thomas.”

“Dad” I warn. “I don’t want to go on vacation.”

“On vacation? Or on vacation with me?” he asks with irritation in his tone. I’m so sick of my parents trying to pull me right and left when they are “separated.”

“Mom wants me to come home and I really want to see Kyle and Bella” I finally say.

“I see” he replies defeated. I shouldn’t have to feel guilty about wanting to see my siblings. “Maybe over the winter break then.”

“Maybe” I say to make him happy.

“So Cody is graduating early and if hopefully coming to work for me in summer. I would love for you to join us. I think it’s time for you to start thinking about your future” my father lectures. But my future is not at some brokerage company. I want to work in fashion and he knows that.

“I’m sure Cody wouldn’t want that.”

“I wouldn’t mind” he smiles, reaching across the table for my hand and giving it a squeeze. Out of instinct, I pull it back. “It will be nice to spend time with you again.”

“I’ll think about it” I say even though I won’t. There is no way I can work for my dad. I much rather get an internship with Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s as a buyer.

I almost finish eating when my phone vibrates in my bag. I have a few missed texts.

Adrienne: where r u???

Adrienne: you need to get back here now

Adrienne: seriously meet me as mike’s room!!

“Sorry Dad but I have to go. There’s an emergency with Adrienne. Thank you for dinner.”

“Oh, all right” he stands up, kissing my cheek. I wave goodbye to Cody and put on my coat. “Oh and honey.”

“Yeah Dad?”

“I want that thousand bucks back.” I nod and make my way through the restaurant. Why did I wear heels?

I hail a cab so I don’t have to power walk in these shoes back to campus. I pay the taxi driver and run up the stairs. When I get to Michael’s room, it is trashed.

“What happened?” I ask. Adrienne looks sick to her stomach. Luke looks really pissed off.

“Ashton!” I hear Michael yell behind the closed door then there is a loud bang. I slowly open the door, fearing what I might see.

“You should have seen the twat!” Ashton screams. “Who the fuck do they think they are. They don’t know me.”

I step in the room but Ashton doesn’t see me. Calum slips out and Michael removes his hands from Ashton’s shoulders and steps out of the room too leaving me alone with Ashton who is still tossing things left and right.

Their room is completely torn apart. Calum’s mattress is hanging off the bed. Everything on his nightstand is on the floor. His laptop is in the floor along with Ashton’s speaker system.

“Get the fuck out” he screams and shatters a glass on the floor. I fight back tears as I step onto the glass and walk towards him.

“Ashton” I breathe out.

“I swear to God if you don’t leave this room right now Shane the next thing will be thrown at your head.”

I ignore his threat, slowly making me way to him. “Ashton” I repeat myself. He is not himself right now as he destroys his room. I just need to get his attention and calm him down.

His hand flies up to throw yet another glass at the ground when I step in front of him and press my lips to his. I feel his body relax and he places the glass on his bed. His hands fall to my waist and pulls me closer to him. I deepen the kiss, which calms him down even more.

“Why are you here?” he whispers with no anger in his tone.

“Because I want to be.”

“What about the walking polo model?” he huffs.

“Cody?”

“Yeah, why aren’t you with him. You two are perfect for each other.” I want to laugh but I know that will make him furious again.

“I don’t want him” I shake my head. “I want you. Only you” I assure him.

I walk towards the door and I hear Ashton sigh. “Please don’t leave me” he says barely above a whisper that if it wasn’t so quiet I never would have heard him. I close the door and lock it.

I carefully step around the warzone back to his side. Both his hands cup my cheeks and he kisses me hungrily. His hands slide down to my thighs and he lifts me up onto his bed. I’m too afraid to say anything that would rub him the wrong way so I remain silent as he attacks my lips.

“I want you” I repeat his words from before. “All of you.” His lips finally curl up into a smile as he pushes my dress up my stomach and unzips his pants. Sliding my panties to the side, he painfully thrusts inside me. I wasn’t entirely ready for him to just dive right in but if it’s what he needs then I’m not complaining.

His hands entangle in mine above my head as he moves in and out. He shows no mercy as he takes me. His breathing gets heavier. His head falls to my shoulder as he releases.

“Are you scared?” Ashton asks as he lifts his head to look at me.

“Scared?” I ask, not sure what he is exactly referring to.

“Of me?”

“Ashton” I breathe out.

“Answer the question Shane” he snaps but quickly realizes what he is doing and his features soften. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I’d never hurt you.” He didn’t need to say it. Deep down inside me I knew he wouldn’t.

“I know you won’t.”